A jury in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Tuesday found that Meta Platforms violated state law by misleading users about the safety of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp while enabling child sexual exploitation. After less than a day of deliberations, the panel ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties, the first jury verdict of its kind against the social media giant. The state had originally sought more than $2 billion in damages.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez called the ruling “a historic victory for every child and family who has paid the price for Meta’s choice to put profits over kids’ safety,” adding that the substantial penalties should send a clear message to tech executives that no company is beyond the reach of the law. Meta, which plans to appeal, said it works “tirelessly” to keep users safe and that it faces challenges in removing harmful content despite extensive safeguards.
The trial, which lasted six weeks, focused on allegations that Meta allowed predators unfettered access to underage users and facilitated real-world abuse and human trafficking. Evidence presented included internal company documents acknowledging sexual exploitation risks, as well as features such as infinite scroll and auto-play videos that, according to the state, contributed to addictive behavior and mental health harm among minors.
The lawsuit stems from a 2023 undercover investigation in which state officials created accounts on Facebook and Instagram posing as children under 14. The operation revealed that the accounts received sexually explicit material and contact from adults seeking minors, resulting in criminal charges. The jury concluded Meta knowingly engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices, finding 75,000 violations at $5,000 per violation.
This verdict comes amid a broader wave of litigation against Meta, including lawsuits accusing the company of designing products that contribute to a nationwide youth mental health crisis. Meta has argued it is protected by the First Amendment and Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, though the New Mexico court rejected these defenses in this case. In May, a second phase of the trial will address claims that Meta created a public nuisance and will seek court-ordered platform changes, including enhanced age verification and removal of predators.
Meta shares rose slightly in after-hours trading following the verdict, but the ruling signals intensifying legal scrutiny over the company’s responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of young users on its platforms.
